Your medicine cabinet is probably filled to the brim with lotions for your face and body. But there’s one area you may be forgetting: your neck. And while some may argue that moisturizers for your face, body and neck are all the same, a neck cream is designed to target specific skin concerns in that area in ways that other moisturizers cannot, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Arash Akhavan.
Similar to the face, your neck can develop fine lines and crepey skin over time as you mature. Neck creams have ingredients that aim to either prevent or address these concerns, experts say. I spoke to board-certified dermatologists about what active skin care ingredients to look for to help combat common neck concerns, plus other factors to consider if you want to incorporate a neck cream into your routine.
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How I picked the best neck creams
I spoke to experts about what to look for in a neck cream to make sure it is as effective as possible. They recommend keeping the following in mind as you shop:
- Skin type: The same way you wouldn’t use a curly-hair shampoo if you have straight hair, you should find a neck cream that matches your skin type. Those with oily and acne-prone skin should look for a noncomedogenic cream (which means it won’t clog pores). Dehydrated skin, which may feel itchy or dry, will respond better to a cream with hyaluronic acid. Those with mature and sensitive skin should look for a hydrating cream that’s free of common irritants like fragrance.
- Ingredients: In general, most neck creams have hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. You can also look for vitamin C, which brightens skin and stimulates collagen production, and retinol, which promotes cell turnover and can address fine lines, says Akhavan. Finally, look for ceramides to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and add hydration.
- Neck concern: When it comes to your neck, what concern are you trying to address? If your skin in that area is dry, look for a hydrating formula. If you want to address crepey or sagging skin, consider something with firming or plumping ingredients like collagen or ceramides. Taking preventative measures? A morning neck cream with an SPF can help to prevent skin damage.
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The best neck creams in 2025
Below, I rounded up neck creams recommended by dermatologists and NBC Select editors. I also included some highly rated options that have above a 4-star average rating from hundreds of reviews.
Best overall
This Strivectin cream has peptides, which experts say can help to firm skin. Former NBC Select senior editor Lindsay Schneider is a fan of this neck cream: “It’s quite thick — and that’s exactly why I like it,” she says. “It feels like it is making a difference on my neck, chest and décolletage. A little goes a long way; plus, I can still apply SPF or makeup over it.” It comes in two other sizes including a travel version.
Best for dry skin
Akhavan says this neck cream is a great option for dry, mature skin because it has jojoba oil to hydrate and glycolic acid to firm. It also has vitamin C, which helps brighten. It’s free of fragrance and is noncomedogenic, which makes it safe for sensitive skin. You can use it both day and night, and the brand recommends applying it in an upward motion.
Editor’s pick
NBC Select senior editor Nikki Brown uses this rich cream as the final step of her nighttime routine. “It has a thick consistency but absorbs at a surprisingly fast rate and leaves behind a beautiful sheen,” says Brown. It also comes with an applicator to help evenly spread the cream across your neck and chest. “The mini brush made applying the cream feel like a ritual and something to look forward to every day,” says Brown.
Best for irritated skin
This retinol neck cream has a thick, creamy texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, according to reviewers. It has ceramides to hydrate and soothe any potential irritation from the retinol, plus peptides to help improve skin elasticity, according to the brand. It has a 4.7-star average rating from over 800 reviews at Ulta.
Best for sensitive skin
Cetaphil is often praised by dermatologists for its effective but gentle formulas. I’ve been using this neck cream for about six months and have noticed my skin in that area looks smoother and feels more hydrated. I also appreciate the affordability, as I was super conscientious about not spending a ton more even if I was adding an extra step to my skin care routine. Those who are budget-conscious will also appreciate that this cream is a multi-tasker that you can use on your face and neck, too. The cream has mandelic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that increases cell turnover, to smooth texture, according to the brand.
Best for mature skin
This Revision Skincare cream is a favorite of Akhavan, who recommends it to his patients because it has natural oils, which hydrate the skin, as well as antioxidants and peptides, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines, he says. You can also use this cream on your chest and jawline for firmer skin.
Best for oily skin
This cream is a favorite of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, who recommends using it on your neck if you have oily skin because it won’t clog pores or cause any unwanted breakouts. It has a retinol alternative to help firm the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines without irritating your skin, according to the brand. Plus, it’s safe to use on your face and neck while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Best with SPF
This neck and face cream has SPF 30 to protect the sensitive skin on your neck from the sun, says Green, so it’s a great option to use during the day. The fragrance-free cream also has peptides and hyaluronic acid to firm up skin, and vitamin C for brightening, according to the brand.
Best budget pick
This RoC neck cream is great for those with oily skin because it’s noncomedogenic and won’t clog pores, according to Green. However, it still works for all skin types, and it’s one of the most affordable options on our list. “The formula plumps, creases and fills out the lines and wrinkles around crepey skin,” she says.
Best splurge
This Tatcha formula is especially hydrating, making it a smart pick for those with very dry skin, according to Green. It also has ingredients that help your skin retain moisture and smooth fine lines, she says. Each tub comes with a small applicator, so you can easily scoop out the amount you need without using your fingers and avoid introducing bacteria into the cream.
Best overnight treatment
Use this cream to address fine lines caused by natural aging or repetitive movements like looking down at devices, commonly known as tech neck, according to the brand. Reviewers say they noticed differences in the texture of the skin on their neck within a few weeks of using it. This cream has a 4-star average rating from more than 200 reviews at Dermstore.
Most lightweight
Necessaire is a favorite body care brand among our NBC Select editors. Reviewers say they notice a big difference in how plump and hydrated the skin on their neck looks. It is suitable for all skin types, gradually helps increase the skin’s firmness and creates an overall tighter appearance on the neck and chest, according to the brand. It has a 4.5-star average rating from over 170 reviews at Nordstrom.
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What do neck creams do?
Unlike a regular face or body moisturizer (and as its name suggests), neck creams are specifically made to target the neck area. Because of this, they usually include ingredients you won’t always find in your standard lotion or cream (there is, however, some overlap between face, body and neck cream ingredients). Neck creams tend to have active ingredients with higher concentrations, says Akhavan. For example, your neck tends to get fine lines and loose skin as you age. So, a neck cream may have higher concentrations of collagen, peptides or other plumping ingredients to improve skin texture and hydration, says Akhavan. They also tend to have heavier oils than a standard face cream because there is less worry about clogging pores on your neck.
How to shop for the best neck creams
To find the best possible neck cream for your skin, the experts I spoke with suggest thinking about your specific concern, skin type and ingredients. Below is a bit more info on what to consider.
Neck concern
Neck creams can help accomplish a few different skin goals, like softening fine lines, protecting from sun exposure, increasing elasticity and treating discoloration, experts say. To find the best neck cream for you, you should identify what you’re hoping to achieve.
Skin Type
Neck skin is often drier than the skin on our face because that area does not produce as much oil. Because of that, you may want to look for a cream that has heavier oils in it to ensure you’re getting adequate moisture to that area, says Akhavan. When shopping, look for formulas with hydrating ingredients, especially if you are also using a retinol that can dry out your skin. You should also be careful if your skin tends to be on the sensitive side; look for creams that are free of common irritants like fragrances or dyes. Finally, if you are acne-prone, look for creams labeled noncomedogenic, which means they won’t clog your pores.
Ingredients
- Retinol: To smooth fine lines, retinol is the best ingredient to have in a formula. Here’s why: Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that promotes skin cell turnover to improve skin’s texture, says Green. However, since the neck area tends to be drier because of its lack of oil production, retinol can be irritating. Consider products that also have hydrating ingredients like glycerin to counteract this issue, according to Akhavan.
- Hyaluronic acid and ceramides: Both of these ingredients are known to be hydrating, says Green. And when skin is hydrated, it naturally looks smoother and more supple.
- Antioxidants: Vitamin C, an antioxidant, is a popular neck cream ingredient because it can help to even skin tone and stimulate collagen production, according to Green. Collagen is the building block and underlying support of your skin; when your skin has enough support, it can reduce fine lines, sagging skin and elasticity, says Akhavan.
- Exfoliants: Another way to stimulate collagen and elastin is to use a chemical exfoliant like glycolic or lactic acid. “The inflammation activates the body’s natural wound healing pathways to generate collagen and elastin,” says Akhavan. Glycolic acid is typically safe to use on all skin types. However, it may irritate sensitive skin and should not be combined with retinol since it can cause further irritation, experts say.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Arash Akhavan is a board-certified dermatologist and founder and director of The Dermatology & Laser Group in New York City.
- Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at her own private practice in New York City.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a contributing editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. I have written about several skin care ingredients, including squalane and retinol. For this story, I interviewed board-certified dermatologists for their guidance on what to look for when shopping for neck creams.
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter at NBC Select who regularly covered skin care and hair care.
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